NEW YORK – You can get comics delivered to your iPad or phone, but there’s something special about rifling through boxes or racks of printed, physical comic books. That sense of specialness is enhanced when the comic books are vintage, and date from times you never knew or barely existed in. It gives the sense that the stories are bigger than you – that they were there before you were born, and will be there to delight your great-grandchildren.
On Monday, September 6, starting at 7 pm Eastern time, Jasper52 will hold an 147-lot sale titled No Reserve Rare Comics. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
First up is Superman #233, published by DC Comics in January 1971. The stunning cover art depicts the first major superhero bursting chains made of green kryptonite – the substance that is notorious for sapping his energy – above the words ‘Kryptonite Nevermore!’ The plot involves Superman helping with experiments that test whether the material could work as a source for alternative energy. Naturally, things go wrong, turning the entire world’s supply of kryptonite into iron and rendering Superman utterly unbeatable. Superman #233 is estimated at $5-$500.
Another sale highlight is a copy of Avengers #83, published by Marvel in December 1970 and primarily features Vision, Black Panther, Quicksilver and Goliath as well as a sort of superhero super-group that dubbed itself the Lady Liberators, comprised of Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, Medusa, Enchantress and Wasp. It, too, is estimated at $5-$500.
Rounding out the top lots is Captain Marvel Adventures #65, released by Fawcett Publications in September 1946. Its cover boasts a refreshingly straightforward image of Captain Marvel punching an invading space alien who bears an unmistakable resemblance to a potato with a tonsure and tendrils instead of arms. Fortunately, the extraterrestrial raider displays a basic respect for basic Earth mores: it is shown wearing pants, socks and shoes. Captain Marvel Adventures #65 carries an estimate of $5-$500.
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View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/